With emotions still raw, ceremony honors fallen police officers

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MUSKEGON, MI - A day after they had gathered for the funeral of Norton Shores Police Officer Jon Ginka, law enforcement officers gathered again to honor fallen heroes at a moving Police Memorial Service Wednesday evening.

They gathered outside the Muskegon County Hall of Justice near "The Protector" statue memorializing law enforcement officers who died in service to their communities. The names of 11 men are inscribed in a plaque beside the statue - men whose deaths date back to 1908 but have never been forgotten.

A 12th name, that of Ginka, will be added to the list of "fallen heroes" with connections to Muskegon County. Ginka died May 10 after his police cruiser struck a tree while he was on patrol.

Hundreds of public safety officers from around the state attended Ginka's funeral that included a long procession through North Muskegon from the church to the cemetery.

North Muskegon Police Chief Thomas Korabik addressed those who gathered for Wednesday's Police Memorial Service. It was Korabik, who is president of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, who played host to the hundreds of officers who joined the solemn funeral procession through his town a day earlier.

Wednesday's hour-long memorial ceremony also included music, a roll call of the fallen heroes, the playing of troops and a blessing.

The Muskegon Pipes and Drums concluded the solemn event with the always moving "Amazing Grace."